Falls from Heights: The Leading Cause of Construction Deaths
Falls kill more construction workers than any other type of accident. Year after year, falls from heights top the list of fatal construction incidents tracked by OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Chicago, where high-rise construction is a way of life, the risk is even greater. OSHA calls falls one of the “Fatal Four” hazards in construction. These four hazard types account for more than half of all construction worker deaths nationwide. Falls alone make up roughly one-third of all construction fatalities. The good news, legally speaking, is that most falls from heights are preventable. When they happen, it is usually because someone failed to follow safety rules. That means injured workers and their families often have strong legal claims.
Where Falls from Heights Happen on Construction Sites
Falls can happen anywhere on a construction site where workers are above ground level. Some locations are more dangerous than others.
Roofs
Roof work is one of the most dangerous activities in construction. Workers on roofs face fall hazards at every edge, opening, and skylight. Residential roofers and commercial roofing crews both face serious risks. Slippery surfaces, steep slopes, and inadequate fall protection all contribute to roof falls.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding falls happen when guardrails are missing, platforms are not fully planked, or access points are unsafe. Workers can also fall when scaffolding collapses under them.
Ladders
Ladder falls are extremely common. Workers fall from ladders that are not properly secured, placed on uneven ground, or used beyond their rated capacity. Using the wrong type of ladder for the job is another frequent cause.
Steel Structures
Ironworkers and steel erectors work at extreme heights, often on narrow beams with limited fall protection. Connecting structural steel on a Chicago high-rise is one of the most dangerous jobs in construction.
Openings in Floors and Walls
Unguarded floor holes, elevator shafts, stairwell openings, and wall openings are fall hazards that should be covered or barricaded. When they are left unprotected, workers can step into them or fall through.
Aerial Lifts and Boom Lifts
Workers in aerial lifts can fall out if they are not wearing harnesses or if the lift tips over. Mechanical failures and operator errors also cause lift-related falls.
Common Injuries from Falls on Construction Sites
The severity of a fall injury depends on the height, the surface below, and whether the worker was wearing any fall protection. Even a fall from a relatively low height can cause serious injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Head injuries are common in falls, even when the worker is wearing a hard hat. The brain can be damaged by the sudden deceleration of impact, even without a direct blow to the skull. Brain injuries can cause permanent cognitive problems, personality changes, and disability.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Falls are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Landing on the back, neck, or head can damage the spinal cord and cause partial or complete paralysis. These injuries are often permanent and require lifelong medical care. Visit our spinal cord and back injury page for more information.
Broken Bones
Fractures of the legs, arms, pelvis, and ribs are common in fall injuries. Compound fractures, where the bone breaks through the skin, often require surgery and carry a risk of infection.
Internal Injuries
The impact of a fall can damage internal organs, causing internal bleeding that may not be immediately obvious. This is why immediate medical evaluation is critical after any fall.
Death
Falls from significant heights are often fatal. When a construction worker dies in a fall, the family may have a wrongful death claim against the parties responsible.
Why Falls Happen: Common Causes
Most falls from heights on construction sites are preventable. They happen because of failures in safety planning, equipment, training, or enforcement.
Missing or Inadequate Fall Protection
OSHA requires fall protection for any worker at six feet or above in construction. This can be guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems (harnesses). When employers fail to provide fall protection, they put workers at risk.
Defective Equipment
Harnesses with worn straps, lanyards that are too long, and anchors that cannot hold the required weight all fail when workers need them most. Defective ladders, scaffolding components, and aerial lifts also cause falls.
Lack of Training
Workers must be trained on fall hazards and fall protection systems. An untrained worker may not know how to properly wear a harness, inspect a lanyard, or identify a fall hazard.
Poor Site Conditions
Wet surfaces, ice, debris, and cluttered walkways increase fall risk. Chicago winters create especially dangerous conditions on construction sites. Snow and ice on scaffolding, ladders, and steel structures make falls more likely.
Rushing and Production Pressure
When contractors push workers to meet tight deadlines, safety shortcuts happen. Workers skip tying off. Guardrails are not installed because it would slow down the work. This pressure to produce is a root cause of many fall accidents.
Legal Liability for Falls from Heights
Multiple parties can be held responsible for a construction fall injury.
General Contractors
The general contractor has overall responsibility for job site safety. Under OSHA’s multi-employer citation policy, a general contractor can be cited for fall hazards created by subcontractors if the general contractor knew or should have known about the hazard. This same principle applies in civil lawsuits.
Subcontractors
Subcontractors who create fall hazards or fail to provide fall protection for their workers can be held liable. If a subcontractor removes a guardrail and does not replace it, they can be liable for injuries to anyone who falls.
Property Owners
Property owners who retain control over the construction project or who are aware of unsafe conditions can share liability.
Equipment Manufacturers
If a harness, lanyard, ladder, lift, or other safety equipment failed due to a defect, the manufacturer can be held strictly liable.
Architects and Engineers
Design professionals who fail to account for fall hazards in their plans or who specify inadequate safety measures can also face liability.
Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Claims
Injured construction workers in Illinois typically have two paths to compensation.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation provides medical benefits and partial wage replacement regardless of fault. You do not need to prove anyone was negligent. But workers’ comp benefits are limited. You receive only about two-thirds of your average weekly wage, and there is no compensation for pain and suffering.Third-Party Lawsuits
If anyone other than your direct employer contributed to your fall, you can file a third-party lawsuit against them. This is separate from your workers’ comp claim. Third-party claims allow you to recover full damages: all lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, disability, and loss of normal life. In construction fall cases, third-party claims are very common. The general contractor, property owner, equipment manufacturers, and other subcontractors are all potential third-party defendants. An experienced attorney can identify all parties who share responsibility.
OSHA Fall Protection Requirements
OSHA has clear rules about fall protection on construction sites. These rules are among the most frequently cited OSHA violations. Key requirements include:
- Fall protection is required at six feet above a lower level in construction
- Acceptable fall protection includes guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems
- Floor holes must be covered or guarded
- Ladders must be inspected, properly secured, and extend three feet above the landing
- Scaffolds must have guardrails on all open sides
- Workers must be trained on fall hazards and fall protection
- A competent person must supervise fall protection on the site
OSHA violations are admissible as evidence in Illinois personal injury cases. They do not automatically prove negligence, but they are very persuasive to juries.
Steps to Take After a Fall Injury
Get Medical Care Immediately
Fall injuries can be deceptive. Internal bleeding, brain injuries, and spinal injuries may not show obvious symptoms right away. Get a full medical evaluation as soon as possible.
Report the Accident
Report the fall to your supervisor. Make sure there is a written record. If your employer does not want to document the accident, that is a red flag.
Gather Evidence
Photograph the area where you fell. Document what fall protection was or was not in place. Get witness names. Note weather conditions. Save your safety equipment.
File for Workers’ Compensation
Notify your employer in writing within 45 days. You have three years to file a formal claim, but starting the process early protects your rights.
Consult a Construction Accident Attorney
Fall cases require investigation into who controlled the work site, who provided (or failed to provide) fall protection, and whether equipment was defective. An attorney experienced in construction accidents can sort through these issues and determine the best legal strategy. See our hiring a lawyer page for tips on choosing the right attorney.
Compensation for Fall Injuries
Fall injury victims in Chicago can recover:
- Medical bills, including surgery, rehabilitation, and future care
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of normal life
- Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one
Fall injuries are often catastrophic. Spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and multiple fractures can require millions of dollars in lifetime medical care. Your compensation should reflect the full impact of your injuries on your life.
Illinois Statute of Limitations
You have two years from the date of your fall to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. Do not wait until the last minute. Building a strong case takes time.
Contact a Chicago Construction Fall Injury Lawyer
Falls from heights are preventable. When they happen because someone cut corners on safety, the injured worker deserves full compensation. Phillips Law Offices has the experience and resources to handle complex construction fall cases in Chicago. Call Phillips Law Offices at (312) 346-4262 or contact us online at /contact/ for a free consultation.
